Galatians

Boasting in the Cross

Boasting in the Cross

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Boasting in the Cross” from Galatians 6:11-18.  As Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians, the one testimonial he leaves is his readiness to boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  That begs the question: “What are Christians and local churches known for?”  As a church family, LBC must be known as a group of people who “gather and scatter” with a message that boasts only in the cross of Christ.

Sow to the Spirit

Sow to the Spirit

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Sow to the Spirit.” In Galatians 6:6-10, Paul completes his theology of Spirit-led relationships with a picture of sowing and reaping.  Our role within the context of relationships can be compared to the planting of seeds.  Each seed being a selfless act of love under the authority of the Spirit or a self-seeking act carried out in the flesh.  The passage urges us to answer, "Are we living by the Spirit or the flesh?" 

Keep in Step with the Spirit

Keep in Step with the Spirit

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Keep In Step with the Spirit" from Galatians 5. What does a church family look like that is "keeping in step with the Spirit"?  A church that is governed by the Spirit will treat others, especially those who have fallen into sin, with a certain kind of care and gentleness.  A Spirit-led congregation is also made up of individuals who are worshiping the Lord through their own personal obedience to Him.  

Stand Firm

Stand Firm

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Stand Firm.”  You’ve seen people slip on the ice.  Maybe it was you that recently felt the pain.  In a spiritual sense, it’s easy to “slip.”  We slip into wrong thinking and eventually slavery to sin.  However, in Galatians 5 we are instructed to stand firm and given practical help to do so.

Son of Hagar...or Sarah?

Son of Hagar...or Sarah?

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Son of Hagar…or Sarah?”  When God promised the aging Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, and when the timing of their coming son seemed to be too far gone, Abe and Sarah took matters into their own hands with another woman named Hagar.  The outcome was disastrous.  The lesson is that either we believe God will fulfill His saving promises in His strength, or we foolishly think that we can become the primary acting agent.  One path is freedom for the soul, the other is slavery to a task we can never complete.

You're a Son, Not a Slave

You're a Son, Not a Slave

Pastor Nate brings the message, "You’re a Son, Not a Slave.”  Galatians 4:7 - “You are no longer a slave, but a son…”  Why would a freed slave ever return to his life of bondage?  It makes no sense, yet that’s what many Christians do.  We trust in Christ for salvation (we are free from the law), but then we revert back to a mentality of using our own works to try to secure our relationship with God.  Through Christ our relationship with God is secure and we are His sons…forever.

Promise, Law, and Faith

Promise, Law, and Faith

Sunday Morning...Pastor Nate brings the message, "Promise, Law, and Faith" from Galatians 3:15-22.  How often do we come to our personal Bible reading and gloss over a section of Scripture because it seems to be irrelevant to everyday life?  At first glance, our next section in Galatians might feel that way.  But there are jewels of truth to be obtained in this passage.  Pray that God will give us a blessing from His Word through this passage.

The Blessing of Abraham

The Blessing of Abraham

Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Blessing of Abraham" from Galatians 3:6-14.  As we move into the doctrinal section of Galatians, Paul unpacks the theology of the Gospel by using the OT character of Abraham.  He was a man who believed what God had promised, and God blessed him accordingly.  The connection that Paul makes is that we have been given the promise of Christ, and if we live by faith in Him, we are one of Abraham's sons, receiving the blessing.  What is that blessing?  You'll see it in this passage.

The Truth of the Gospel - Part 2

The Truth of the Gospel - Part 2

Pastor Nate brings the message, “The Truth of the Gospel” - Part 2,  from Galatians 2:14-21.  As we continue our sermon series in Galatians, it’s clear that Paul’s great desire is for People to accurately understand the Gospel.  As it was then, so it is now…some are teaching that belief in good works is what saves a person.  What a hopeless outlook in life!  The Bible teaches us that we are sinners, that Christ died in our place, and that belief in Him alone is what saves us from hell.  So, the Gospel is not belief in good works.  It’s belief in Jesus.

The Truth of the Gospel - Part 1

The Truth of the Gospel - Part 1

Pastor Nate brings the message, “The Truth of the Gospel” - Part 1.  Even the best of Christians leaders will at times fall into the “fear-of-man” trap.  In this next section in Galatians, Paul uses failure of Peter and Barnabas as a platform to begin teaching on justification.  Paul’s point is that we certainly will not be justified in God’s eyes by works that impress others but rather by faith in Jesus.

Accepted by the Apostles

Accepted by the Apostles

Pastor Nate brings the message, “Accepted by the Apostles.”  Some of the early churches planted by Paul were later deceived by false teachers who claimed that circumcision was needed for salvation.  In Galatians, Paul is responding with the message that salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone.  But the question is: “Why should we believe you, Paul?”  That question is what Paul is answering in chapters 1-2 of Galatians.